Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, are seen during the inauguration of their election campaign in Jerusalem, on Dec. 25. / Dan Balilty, AP

by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel's Justice Ministry says it has formally indicted former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman for breach of trust and fraud, allegations that could hurt his political future if he is convicted.

Lieberman resigned earlier this month after he was informed of the pending charges. The ministry later revised the wording, though not the charges, and filed the indictment in a Jerusalem court on Sunday.

Lieberman is accused of advancing a former ambassador after he relayed information to the foreign minister about a criminal investigation into his business dealings. Lieberman denies wrongdoing.

His Yisrael Beiteinu party is running with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud in the Jan. 22 election, and he is expected to serve as a lawmaker in the next parliament.

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